The Indians, East of Big Sur

I’ve found Boondocker* paradise in the central California coast range! or close to Paradise.  Its called The Indians, because this was last place the Salinas Indians lived in the area.  It features a free campground, with a low valley surrounded  by low mountain ridge peaks & big rock formations to the west, lots of hiking, hunting & trout fishing in season.

• Boondocking - The art of camping in an RV without paying.  Ideally in the Boondocks, but Walmart, business parks & near universities will do.

This is an absolutely beautiful area with large rock formations at approx. 45 degrees for easy climbing, almost level hikes across meadows with scattered rock formations, low rocky peaks to climb, & a closed road into the Arroyo Secord canyon for easy walking.  It is the best boondocking place I found during a 2 month long search of So Cal coastal and near coast mts in late 2010.

You can reach it via King City on Route 101 in the San Joaquin Valley or via Macimiento-Fergustion Road over coastal range from Big Sur, north of Plaskett, east at Kirk Creek campground.  From King City take G14 west.  Right at junction of Mission Road (about 20 miles & on Ft Hunter Liggett Military Reservation.  Near main base entrance on Mission Road, take Del Venturi Road to left. This will take you into Los Padres NF &The Indians.

The road climbs a shallow mountain valley out of fog & crosses two shallow fords of the San Antonio River.  The fords are closed by military during high water.  Enter south gate of the most northern section of Los Padres  National Forest.  Grassy valley with scattered trees, mountains are short, rocky & pointed. 

Road climbs over saddle & down into shallow valley with many trees.  Many damaged in recent 2008  fire, but recovering nicely.  Arrived at campground. Large parking area to right, suitable for a few RVs, no hookups, no water, no cell phone.  Real boondocking! Scattered tent campsites follow creek  & road to south entry of Arroyo Secord.  There are about twenty cabins & sportsman club picnic area & several very nice trails near campground.  By driving .7 mile back to saddle & easy climb up rocks about 100 feet, I was able to get four bars on my phone.

I visited during December & was told it was best time of year because the occasional frost keeps the flys down.  Was told they are  a problem during warmer months.  I stayed a week, had frost 1 night, most nights lows around 40*, had 3 sunny days, high upper 60* days, & 3 cloudy days & 2 mostly rain days, high lower 60*s. I planed on coming back in February or March to see what it is like then.

It is March & I am on my drive north.  Because of rain I will not be able to get across the fords to The Indians this season.  Sorry, no photos, it looks like I only took video & I don’t know how to post video yet.

Paskett Rock, Big Sur

Paskett Rock, Big Sur

3/21/11

Stayed at Paskett Creek Campground in Big Sur.  Located apporx. half way between San Simeon & Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP on the uphill side of Rt 1, this campground has approx 40 basic sites.  While it can accommodate RVs up to 35 ft, there are no hookups & many of the sites are not very level.  The campground has large trees for protection from the weather, which is important this time of year due to frequent storms. This is a Forest Service CG & site cost at this time is $22 per site per night.  I had read several bad reviews concerning porta potties, but the restrooms were open & I saw no problems.

This is a wonderful place to stay for a few days because its location allows you to really enjoy the essence of Big Sur.  Situated on a slopping plateau between the Mts. to the east & the Pacific Ocean, there are some good short hikes in the area with great views of the coast & the Mts.

Leaving the south end of the campground via a service road & crossing Rt 1, you will find a trial that will take you approx a half mi. across  the plateau to Paskett Rock.  Which juts out at the south end of a very small bay.  From this rock you can see for miles up & down the coast & get great views of the Mts.  This is also a great place to watch sunsets!

Exiting via the campground entry & walking north on Rt 1 a short distance will bring you to Sand Dollar Beach  parking lot, a day use area, user fees for this area are included in camping fees.  A short trail with stairs will take you down to the beach & the small bay.  The upper part of the beach is cobble stone & difficult to walk on.  At low tide a sandy beach is exposed which allows easy walking.

There are several dirt roads within a few miles of here that go a ways up the side of the Mts.  These can be rough & are not useable when wet.  There is the Wood Bone resort with a great views, a restraunt, pool, yurts & cabins a couple of mile south.  Along this strech of Rt. 1 there are many pull overs with great views & access to the ocean.

Approx. 4 mi north of Paskett Creek CG on Rt 1 is the FS Kirk Creek Camp Ground.  This CG has fewer spaces & is perched on a bluff above the ocean.  With no trees it is much more exposed to the weather but offers excellent views from your campsite.  

Near this CG is the western end of Macimento Fergusson Road,  This narrow paved road climbs the side of the Mt. using several switch backs with each turn offering a more spectacular view than the last one.  Near the top, the road then follows the side of the Mt. up a valley east until it crest the ridge.  At the ridge top there are roads going N & S along the ridge.  Once over the ridge the road decends down the side of a wooded valley, with more great views thru the trees, to the Ponderosa CG on the creek.  Traveling east it is approx. 30 mi to Hunter Liggett army base  & another 30 miles to King City & Rt 101.  The section of Los Padres NF north of Hunter Liggett is very nice & this route is a good way to get there.  See article called “The Indians” when I get around to posting it.  This is a rugged exit from Bug Sur, but one I highly recommend because it is beautiful country from beginning to end. I did it in RV!